Today is Autism Day and this month is Autism Awareness Month. I’ve read and reviewed quite a few books with autistic characters over the years so for a comprehensive list of books I’ve reviewed that feature characters with ASD, click here. I also want to strongly recommend that anyone who wants to learn more about the depiction of autism and ASD in books check out Disability in Kidlit. Below I compiled a list of books featuring characters with ASD. The books I listed were ones that drew me in, captured my interest and attention and seemed to hold some truths in them. But I am not a person with ASD, nor is anyone in my family. I am former teacher who has worked with and taught students who have ASD. These books aren’t about real people, they are about characters, creations of an author’s mind, and may contain parts that do not ring true for those with a closer experience of ASD than my own. Also remember that in real life, people with ASD are as varied as people without ASD. That is to say, infinitely. Therefore, no depiction of a person with ASD in a book should be taken as a representation of what all or most people with ASD are like.
Also, you may want to check out my first Autism Awareness Month post before you dive in. It has lots of great links and resources that are worth looking at.
Recommended Middle Grades Chapter Books:
In this book, Moose’s family is uprooted to live on Alcatraz so that his sister Natalie is can attend a special school. Moose often must balance his wants and needs with those of his sister. He often must act as her caretaker, a position common to many siblings of autistic children.
The sequel to Al Capone Does My Shirts the focus of this book shifts away from Moose’s relationship with Natalie, despite her being a big part of his life. This focuses more on his relationships with friends.
When Ted’s cousin Salim disappears, everyone is distraught. But Ted and his sister Kat refuse to sit by, especially since they think the police aren’t doing enough to find him. They’re certain that Ted’s brain can solve the puzzle. This is an excellent book with a very positive portrayal of a character with ASD.
A Newbery Honor selection and the recipient of the Schneider Family Book Award, this is book has a sparkling and well-deserved pedigree. It gives an excellent perspective on what it might like to have a sibling with autism.
Recommended for Tweens and Teens:
Mockingbird by Katherine Eskine
This tells the heartbreaking story of how Caitlyn survives the loss of her brother due to a school shooting. Eskine allows you to see the world through Caitlyn’s eyes and the result is moving. Go read it. It is amazing. This is exactly what people are talking about when they say that books can help you see the world from the perspective of others. Eskine is thoroughly successful.
Nathaniel must navigate high school and the pitfalls of a high school social life, but with Asperger’s Syndrome, it’s just a bit harder for him. Roy does an excellent job showing the many facets of Nathaniel’s personality, and showing readers that being on the spectrum is not a person’s only characteristic.
If you saw my earlier list…
You’ll see it included The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon. I’ve chosen to remove it from my recommended list based on this review posted by Disability in Kidlit. It is always important to me to be able re-evaluate my impressions especially when given information from a reputable and informative source.
